What to Do When Something Feels Wrong Online
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Learning Objectives
- 1Recognize situations online that feel wrong or uncomfortable
- 2State the four steps in order — Stop, Close the screen, Tell a trusted adult, Wait for help
- 3Explain why telling an adult is always the right thing to do
Mini Lesson
Sometimes when you are using a device, something might pop up, appear, or happen that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, confused, or uneasy. That feeling in your stomach is important — it is your body telling you something is not right here. You do not need to understand exactly why something is wrong. If it feels wrong, it is time to act.
What kinds of things might feel wrong online?
- A pop-up that says you have won a prize and asks for your address.
- A message from a stranger asking where you live or where you play.
- A website that shows scary, violent, or upsetting images by accident.
- Someone online asking you to keep a conversation secret from your parents.
- A game or app asking for your phone number or credit card details.
- Anyone online asking you to send them a photo of yourself.
The four steps — Stop, Close, Tell, Wait
- 1. Stop — stop what you are doing immediately. Do not click anything else, do not type a reply, do not close the tab yet.
- 2. Close the screen — close the tab, window, or app that showed the upsetting content. If you cannot close it, turn the screen away or put the device face-down.
- 3. Tell a trusted adult — go straight to a parent, guardian, grandparent, or another trusted adult and explain what you saw or received. Show them the device if you can.
- 4. Wait for help — wait for the adult to look at the situation with you. Do not go back to the screen alone. The adult will decide what to do next.
Who is a trusted adult?
- A parent or guardian at home.
- A coach or club leader you know well.
- An older family member you know and trust — aunt, uncle, grandparent.
- A trusted adult is someone you can talk to without feeling afraid.
You will NEVER be in trouble for telling
- Sometimes children worry they will get in trouble for what they saw online. You will not — none of it is your fault.
- Telling an adult keeps you safe. Staying silent is the only thing that can make the situation worse.
- A trusted adult’s job is to help you — not to blame you.
Ask yourself: "What are the four steps in order? Who is a trusted adult for me? Will I get in trouble for telling an adult what I saw?"
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